Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Second murder arrest made in Brookhaven suspected ‘drug activity’ shooting

Abel Ashmelash (Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)
Abel Ashmelash (Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)
By Ellen Eldridge
June 27, 2017

A 27-year-old Stone Mountain man is the second person charged with murder in the death of a Brookhaven man.

Abel Ashmelash was arrested Tuesday morning, Brookhaven police spokesman Carlos Nino said. Edward Tavarez was arrested June 13.

They are accused in the June 1 shooting death of Travis Ridley at Avana Uptown apartments off Clairmont Road.

Police previously said the incident was related to drug activity and investigators said Tavarez may have fired after Ridley pulled a gun.

Detectives did find a firearm at the scene they believe belonged to Ridley.

Ashmelash and Tavarez have been charged with murder and armed robbery. They remain in the DeKalb County jail.

In other news:

Therapy Dogs Comfort Grieving Families At Funeral Homes

About the Author

Ellen Eldridge
More Stories

Keep Reading

Family and friends participated in a processional led by a horse-drawn carriage carrying the remains of Cornelius Taylor from Ebenezer to Atlanta City Hall on Monday, February 3, 2025. Taylor, a homeless man, died during an incident involving city workers clearing a homeless encampment on January 16. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Family of man crushed at homeless encampment sues city of Atlanta

Family says they’re seeking justice for Cornelius Taylor’s “preventable and unjustified” death and the city’s failure to inspect his tent before heavy machinery moved in.

2h ago

Woman, 60, accused of fatally stabbing woman near Bankhead liquor store

Renee Hudson, 60, was booked into the Fulton County jail Thursday. She faces charges including murder and aggravated assault.

Deaths of 2 teens highlight Georgia’s lightning risk

So far this year, 12 deaths due to lightning strikes have been reported in the U.S.

The Latest

Family and friends participated in a processional led by a horse-drawn carriage carrying the remains of Cornelius Taylor from Ebenezer to Atlanta City Hall on Monday, February 3, 2025. Taylor, a homeless man, died during an incident involving city workers clearing a homeless encampment on January 16. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Family of man crushed at homeless encampment sues city of Atlanta

2h ago

Woman, 60, accused of fatally stabbing woman near Bankhead liquor store

Deaths of 2 teens highlight Georgia’s lightning risk

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

UPS offers unprecedented buyouts for drivers

The Teamsters union, which represents about 340,000 UPS employees, is urging its full-time members to reject the offers.

Longtime south Atlanta flea market set for massive mixed-use makeover

The developer is planning one of the largest projects in Atlanta’s Southside, a more than $500 million project near Greenbriar Mall.

MARTA chief Collie Greenwood retiring early

MARTA CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood is leaving “because of immigration and personal matters” and has elected early retirement.